The Pilgrimage. The Newsletter of the Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Pacific

Transcription

1 The Pilgrimage The Newsletter of the Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Pacific From our Moderator Dear Sisters in Christ, Here we are at the end of the year when we give thanks for the many ways we have been blessed for family, friends, food, shelter and here in California, water we no longer take for granted. We are thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and for those whose service and sacrifice have made it possible. Before our refrigerators are clear of the left-over turkey, stuffing, pies that we have consumed, we will be beginning our celebration of the Advent Season. Advent reminds us of God s abiding love and hope for humanity. Advent is a time of waiting, a time of anticipation and a time of reflection. It is important that we remember this even as we acknowledge and grieve over the loss of lives in Paris. The reaction of support and solidarity with France is no surprise and reflects our common bond as citizens of the world, but our concomitant response to not accepting Syrian refugees is counter to our common humanity. As Walter Brueggenmnn puts it in Journey to the Common Good: We face a crisis about the common good because there are powerful forces at work among us to resist the common good, to violate community solidarity, and to deny common destiny. Mature people, at their best, are people who are committed to the common good that reaches beyond private interest, transcends sectarian commitments, and offers human solidarity. When our need for security blinds us to the great needs of refugees escaping civil war and a 3 year conflict in their land where millions have been displaced and have no place to live or call home, we refute God s greatest commandment that if we love God, we love our neighbors. And a young lawyer asks Jesus, but Lord who is my neighbor? Jesus responded with the story of the Good Samaritan and ended with your neighbor is the one in need. Dietrich Bonhoeffer puts it in another way in his book, God is in the Manger: Jesus stands at the door knocking (Rev.3:20). In total reality, he comes in the form of a beggar, of a dissolute child in ragged clothes asking for your help. He confronts you in every person that you meet. As long as there are people, Christ will walk the earth as your neighbor, as the one through whom God calls you, speaks to you, makes demands on you. That is the great seriousness and blessedness of the Advent message. Christ is standing at the door; he lives in a form of a human being among us. Do you want to close the door or open it? In this season of Advent may we ponder whether we have room in our hearts for the Christ child. Doreen Der-McLeod What s Inside this Issue... A Gardener s Thanksgiving...10 Churchwide CT Report...4 From the Historian...8 Geneva Jensen Trust...5 Justice & Peace Notes Leadership Enhancement...6 Mission Report...,,9 Moderator s Letter...1 Nat l. Asian PW Conf Search Committee Report...7 Treasurer s Report...3 Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord Who Comes in the Name of Love! Make smooth the highways and byways for all people by wielding your power for justice. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love. --Martin Luther King, Jr. The Pilgrimage page 1

2 Longing for Justice and Peace How long, O Lord? How long until we see in each other your image and respond with joy rather than fear? How long until we understand the depth of your love for all of creation and allow that love to overflow into our every thought and action? How long until religion unites instead of divides? How long until we live out of your promised abundance rather than being anxious of scarcity? How long until our urges to follow you in the ways of peace and justice and mercy and loving kindness are heeded instead of suppressed? O, Lord, help us. Make of us salt and light. Make us courageous peacemakers. As we look for the helpers make us the helpers others look to for hope. Do not let us bow our heads in despair without then looking out into a hurting world and entering it to share the love of Christ Jesus our Lord. Hear us as we pray for people all over the world who are the victims of violence, war, terror and hate. May our shock and pain be turned into actions that help to heal. Amen. a prayer in the Presbyterian Outlook on November 14, 2015 by Jill Duffield I am honored, challenged, and grateful to serve PWS as Coordinator of Justice and Peace. Presbyterian Women are so involved in so many activities that this is a daunting responsibility. I will try to highlight just three areas. In our neighborhoods there seem to be two issues that are prominent. One is creation justice. How do we care for our land and our water so that all God s people have a safe and productive place to live? The second issue is the rise of gun violence. There are a plethora of resources for both of these issues on the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship website. Another resource is the website and book: The Art of Neighboring: Building Relationships Right Outside Your Door. What if Jesus meant to love our actual neighbor? Everyone can do this whether you are in a senior facility, an urban condo, or a suburb. In our nation disparities still exist for racial ethnic persons, new immigrants, and women in our communities and our beloved church. Recent high-profile African American racial justice cases highlight the need for individuals and groups to embrace Christ's call to tear down the dividing walls of hostility. Here is one suggestion: Hold a Racial Justice Conversation: Pledge to facilitate at least five conversations in the next five months about racial justice in your church. For a helpful guide go to ministries/racial-ethnic- womens-ministries/speakantiracism. (continued on next page... ) The Pilgrimage page 2

3 In our international community we are facing the single greatest humanitarian crisis since World War II. Over 12 million Syrians have either been displaced internally or have become refugees, another quarter million have perished. Presbyterians have had a relationship with people of faith there since This gives us some knowledge of the root causes of the flight of refugees and calls us to a commitment to radical hospitality. I still remember an international guest from Jerusalem at a Churchwide Gathering urging each of us to invite a Palestinian and a Jewish person to dinner (or any other persons of different faiths or cultures). For the latest information from the Middle East, go to findaworld.org to hear from our mission co-workers Scott and Elmarie Parker. I see my responsibility to connect us so we can work together. We have the Presbytery of San Joaquin to thank for Living Waters World Missions that enables any individuals or churches to form a relationship with a community (usually a church) that wants to provide the gift of safe drinking water to its members. (Those of you interested in Guatemala and Colombia might take a further step and contact the Latin American Working Group.) Within the Presbytery of San Francisco women are spreading the warmth of God s Love through their Prayer Shawl Ministry. The Presbytery of Sacramento has an active relationship with Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. My Presbytery of Stockton has recently birthed a new worshipping community that ministers to the vulnerable of a diverse urban neighborhood. This grew out of a mentoring program for neighborhood kids. What is exciting in your Presbytery? Please let us know about your activities for PW Together in Action (January 11-17) and Orange Day. With the grace and peace we know in Christ, Cheryl Hunt tubahunt@comcast.net For further information check out the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Blog. Treasurer s Repor t For the month of December 2015, PWP Treasurers should still send checks to me. Jeanette Huie 5080 Kearney Avenue Oakland, California jeanette_huie@yahoo.com Beginning in January 2016, checks for PW in the Synod of the Pacific should be sent to the new Treasurer, Vicki Hautala. Vicki Hautala Little Valley Road Fort Bragg, CA lisacat22@comcast.net Please remind your Treasurers to send in your PWP per capita before the end of the year. In 2015, our primary expenses were related to the Churchwide Gathering and a deposit to Mercy Center for the 2016 Synodwide Gathering. As of November 30, 2015 our financial assets total $18, Jeanette Huie jeanette_huie@yahoo.com or (510) The Pilgrimage page 3

4 Churchwide Coordinating Team Report The Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women, Inc. met September 18-22, 2015, in Louisville, Kentucky. Kevin Garvey and Greg Russo of the Presbyterian Foundation led us in the process for strategic planning for the triennium. The CCT identified the following goal areas for the coming triennium: Witness and Advocacy Leadership Training Finances and Fundraising Communications Growth Former Communications Coordination Committee and Funds Development Committee (FDC) have been combined into a single committee (CC/FDC). PW was very generous during the triennial Gathering: The offering: $33,502 (ECPAT-USA and Instituto Prevocacional e industrial de Puerto Rico (domestic violence shelter) Gift cards: $38,000 (American Indian Family Center) Silent Auction: $6,109 (towards Mission Pledge) Stepping Out for Justice & Peace march: $2,000 (CARE and Presbyterian Ministry at the UN) Centsability: $2, (Hunger Program) Mission Yearbook the 120 year old Presbyterian Mission Yearbook will become an online only free digital resource starting in Golden Opportunity GIVING TUESDAY is December 1, 2015 Be aware that there will be an blast for promotion before and on the day of giving for PW, information regarding the Mission Pledge Year-end Appeal will be included. On your note line, please write: Mission Pledge and the name of your presbytery. Checks should be mailed to: Presbyterian Women Remittance Processing PO Box Pittsburgh, PA You may also contribute online at: Leadership Enhancement Committee has been renamed it is now named Inclusive Community Committee to reflect the build an inclusive, caring community aspect of the PW Purpose. The PW Manual will be revised into three separate smaller documents. (1) Guide for PW Groups (2) Guide for PW Moderators (3) Guide for PW Treasurers. All three will soon be available. Information for PW groups disbanding (within the PCUSA or leaving the denomination) is in the September/October issue of Horizons and on the website. It will also be included in the Guide for PW Groups. Justice and Peace Committee hopes to send a representative to CSW in PW s Together in action Days in January 2016 will continue to focus on human trafficking and children s literacy. CMOC approved four recipients (three domestic; one international) for the 2016 Birthday Offering. The amount funded totals $ USA Mission Experience continues its planning. The title/theme is Out of the Darkness.Into the Light, Based on John 1:5. The event is scheduled for September 22-30, 2016 in San Francisco and will focus on the work being done in the San Francisco and San Jose Presbyteries regarding racism, human trafficking, all forms of violence against women and immigration. Cecelia Moran The Pilgrimage page 4

5 GENEVA M. JENSEN TRUST FUND FALL 2015 Geneva M. Jensen was a Presbyterian woman who had a deep interest in the mission needs of our synod. In her will, she established the Geneva M. Jensen Trust Fund. Approximately $1,500, from the fund has been granted on alternate years between national and overseas mission needs. Grants have been are awarded annually at the fall meeting of the PW Synod of the Pacific Coordinating Team. At this time, approximately, $2000 remains in this trust fund. It is highly probable that 2016 will be the last time this fund will be able to make a grant. The 2016 grants will be for mission projects within the USA, (maybe one or two grants, depending on requested amounts). The application deadline is October 1, Applications must be endorsed by Presbyterian Women in the Congregations or Presbyteries within the Synod. Additional information and Project Proposal Forms are available from: Doreen Der-McLeod, Moderator, PW in the Synod of the Pacific th Avenue #3 San Francisco, CA Telephone: (415) address: ddermcleod@gmail.com Questions may be addressed to Doreen at the above addresses. The Pilgrimage page 5

6 Leadership Enhancement is one of the offices that is on the CT of the Synod of the Pacific. My term ends in 2016, so I thought I d let you know what this office is all about. The term is for 3 years. There are 2 meetings per year that the Leadership Enhancement Coordinator attends: one meeting is for the CT members only; the second meeting precedes the annual Synod Gathering. There are 3 types of Synod Gatherings (the Synod CT meets a day ahead in preparation for the Synod Gathering). One type is done at the Church-wide Gathering such as the one last June. A second is open to all women within the Synod The third is the Moderator + 1 Gathering (2017) which is open to the PWP Moderators of the Presbyteries and one other attendee from each Presbytery. These are more usually specific in topic. Twice a year (in late fall and late spring) our Synod newsletter the Pilgrimage is published and the Leadership Enhancement Coordinator contributes an article. At the Gatherings a report is also due. The duties of the Leadership Enhancement position are to encourage all women to take part in PW and to see that there are mentoring opportunities for women interested in becoming leaders within their own church PW or at the Presbytery and Synod levels. Any information on leadership enhancement that the coordinator receives is passed on to the Moderators of the PWP of the Synod. There are changes planned for the Leadership office and that also means a name change, too. Personally I feel that is a good thing. The Leadership Enhancement title was a bit intimidating to me. Frankly I am more of a "worker-bee". Just the same I have truly been blessed by being on the CT for the last 5 years. Your CT for the Synod consists of women who bring much joy and spirit to their work! The PW Synod Gathering in 2016 will take place at the same time as the USAME. There will much to do and see. It is a wonderful opportunity for all. At the Gathering elections for 3 offices will be held. One of them is the Leadership Enhancement. The other two are the Mission Interpretation office and Secretary. As to being on the CT you may serve for 6 years running if you serve in two different offices. You cannot serve more until another year has past. You cannot serve in the same office twice. All of this allows the CT to remain refreshed with new officers and goals for the CT and the Synod. Your Search Committee (lead by Mildred Hall) is looking for 3 women to serve on the CT. If you or anyone you know would be a good candidate contact her. She would be happy to hear from you! I am praying that one of you will step forward to serve and be a part of the CT of the Synod of the Pacific. You will be blessed!! Christmas joy to each of you and your families - Cathy Ures, Synod Leadership Enhancement Coordinator Leadership Enhancement The Pilgrimage page 6

7 Presbyterian Women: Let s get into action Moving into my second year as moderator of the PWS Search Committee, I have experienced and been encouraged by the dedication and commitment of the women currently serving on the Coordinating Team (CT). As we gathered recently for our weekend retreat, we learned more about our responsibilities and had time to discuss and share our thoughts and understanding of work ahead of us including plans for the next PW Synodwide Gathering in September, Your leaders serve the PW presbyteries in this Synod and can be contacted anytime for information. And now it is again time to begin our search for new leadership for three women rotating off their terms of office. This year we are seeking three positions: Secretary, Mission Interpretation Coordinator, and Leadership Enhancement Coordinator. Let s look briefly at responsibilities of these three positions: The Secretary records minutes for PWSCT meetings and for the Synodwide gatherings. The Mission Interpretation Coordinator is responsible for making information available to PW in the Presbyteries about mission projects and other issues of concern to PW. The Leadership Enhancement Coordinator encourages and facilitates leadership development for new and continuing leaders in the PWS. Each year a new Search Committee is formed from the presbyteries on a rotation basis. This year the membership will consist of current PWP Moderators from Sacramento, Boise and San Francisco presbyteries. I will be in touch with these moderators to form the committee so that we can begin the process of searching and choosing nominees. In the meantime, if you are from these presbyteries and feel you can serve as a CT member, please do submit your name. In addition, it would be good if everyone can consider members from your PW circles and submit their names. If you have any questions, feel free to me or speak with your moderator. As we enter into the holiday season, in Advent we await the Messiah Come Thou long expected Jesus. Christmas comes and we rejoice that Christ is born -- Joy to the World! May each of you have a wonderful season of peace and joy in our Good News. Mildred Hall PWS Search Committee Moderator mildredhal@sbcglobal.net The Pilgrimage page 7

8 Historian s Corner Hi Everyone, I would appreciate it if you would send me a copy of your most recent presbytery newsletter, and also a copy of your current presbytery directory. I am also requesting a copy of your PWP Moderator s Annual Report I know this is something you probably write at the end of the year, but I thought I would remind you now. Copies of your reports will be distributed at our Synodwide Gathering in September. I encourage you to send articles and photos of your special activities to the Horizon Office. Information can be sent to Sharon Gillies (Editorial Director). Sharon.gillies@pcusa.org. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Looking forward to learning more about each of our great presbyteries in the Synod of the Pacific. Thank you for your consideration. Blessings, Connie I. Clark Vice-Moderator/Historian PW in the Synod of the Pacific. connie-clark@comcast.net mailing address: 2457 Farnsworth Drive Livermore, California The Pilgrimage page 8

9 Mission Interpretation I/We always need to remember that PW IS Mission. The Mission Pledge due every November 15 to the Moderator or Treasurer of each Presbytery PW supports the work of PW at the Presbytery, Synod and Churchwide levels. PW overall spends less for overhead than many other organizations! The PW of the Presbytery of Boise uses a portion of its income to provide a scholarship for one woman to every Churchwide Gathering. Horizons Magazine tells us of the mission projects performed in churches around the USA, as well as the recipients of the Thank Offering and the Birthday Offering. The Horizons Bible Study teaches us to do mission in our lives and in our local groups, with refugees, widows, the homeless, the hungry, and with children. The women of the First Presbyterian Church of Boise have an annual Christmas Tea during which they provide tasty pastries and quality entertainment, as well as collect for the Thank Offering. Doing mission is many things. We can provide a ride to work for a co-worker. We can teach someone else to be a teacher or an office worker. Doing mission does not necessarily mean that I give from my bounty of money or time. It often means that I sacrifice something, that I go the extra mile, or that sometimes I might do something I prefer not to do. The women who apply to be representatives for the USA Mission Experience or the Global Exchange are partially supported for their involvement and their itinerations. However, some generously pay out of their own pockets, and then enjoy sharing their experiences with the women of their synods when they return. The monthly Window Into World Mission s from Rachel Yates give insight into the work of mission coworkers in various countries of the world. Rachel will add you to her list; just her at: rachel.yates@pcusa.org. Ms. Yates is a Church Support Associate-West for the PC(USA) Mission Agency and works out of the Denver area. You can access information regarding the Presbyterian Mission Agency on the internet and choose from the many articles offered: see The 2015 Fall Gathering of the Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Boise featured Donnalee Velvick- Lowry, the Founder of Hope House in Marsing, Idaho. Hope House was designed to handle children from 5-17 who have been previously adopted, but whose adoptions failed. Through education, work, play, worship, and a loving-caring atmosphere, children have been redeemed through their experiences in Hope House. There are a handful of graduates from Hope House who have gone to college or travelled and returned to give back, including the designer of their improved website: You will find much more about Hope House on the web as well. Let s Do Mission Together as we go forward into the Year of Our Lord 2016! Jacquelyn Benjamin PWS Mission Coordinator The Pilgrimage page 9

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11 "A Gathering for Asian women to be in fellowship, to learn, and explore issues together" 2016 NATIONAL ASIAN PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN GATHERING Empowering Christian Women in Leadership April 22-24, 2016 KEYNOTE SPEAKER REV. DR. GRACE MAY Rev. Dr. Grace May is the Executive Director of Women of Wonder, Inc. (WOW!), a ministry that seeks to see Christian women leaders soar and fulfill their God-given dreams. Dr. May is currently the Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at the William Carey International University in Pasadena, CA. She received her M.Div from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Th.D at the Boston University School of Theology. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA), she pastored at the Chinese Christian Church of New England, the First Chinese Presbyterian Church, Oversea Chinese Mission and Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, an African-American church. She is the contributing author to The Global God, Proclaiming the Scandal of the Cross, Growing Healthy Asian-American Churches and Seeking Harmony: Intergenerational Theology of the Household of God. She lives in the Lower East Side with her mother and relishes tasting different cuisines, traveling and meeting God and the body of Christ in new and refreshing ways. WORSHIP LEADER WORSHIP LEADER REV. LAURA CHEIFETZ REV. LAURA CHEIFETZ The Reverend Laura Mariko Cheifetz serves as the Vice President of Church & Public Relations at the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. She received her M.Div. from McCormick Theological Seminary, and her MBA from North Park University in Chicago. She is an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She enjoys spending time with friends over food, exploring whichever region in which she happens to live, and still believes The Wire is the greatest television show in history. Laura also currently serves on the Churchwide Coordinating Team of Presbyterian Women as the Asian Member-at-Large. Mercy Center ( Adeline Drive, Burlingame, California $ Early Bird price if received by March 1, 2016 $ after March 1, 2016 $ Commuter Rate (Saturday only w/3 meals) REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 18, Registration includes lodging for Friday & Saturday nights and five meals Friday (D); Saturday (B, L, D); Sunday (B). All rooms are single occupancy with one twin bed, chair, and desk. Towels are provided and shared bathrooms are on each floor. Mercy Center check-in is at 3 pm on Friday; the Gathering will conclude at 12 noon on Sunday. The San Francisco International Airport is 4 miles from Mercy Center. Please indicate on your form if you need a ride to and from the airport. Limited scholarships available; please request APW s scholarship form and send in with registration form. If you have questions, contact Jeanette Huie, Jeanette_huie@yahoo.com or (510) Held once every three years, the 2016 Gathering is being organized by the Northern California chapter. This is an opportunity for Asian women from across the country to be in fellowship and explore issues to strengthen ourselves spiritually and mentally. Leadership comes in all shapes and sizes and we may not even realize our full potential, or find opportunities to utilize our leadership skills to make a difference. The keynote speaker and workshop leaders will focus on leadership in church settings. The Pilgrimage page 11

12 WORKSHOPS (additional workshops may be added) A WALK THROUGH CHURCH POLITY Leader: Linda Lee, former Moderator of San Francisco Presbytery and Elder at Presbyterian Church in Chinatown Learn about church polity and how to use your gifts and skills sets to benefit the church. QUEEN ESTHER S CONVERSIONS: FROM INTERCULTURAL ESTRANGEMENT TO INTERCULTURAL ENGAGEMENT Leader: Young Lee Hertig, Executive Director, The Institute for the Study of Asian American Christianity (ISAAC) In this workshop I explore Queen Esther s conversions from intercultural estrangement to intercultural engagement: shrewdness within, and innocence without, (Matt 10: 16) and the duplicity of her names Hadassah (righteousness), Esther (hiddenness). Esther s multiple conversions and duplicity as tactics living in the enemy s court offers contemporary Christian implications on the intersection of race and gender. WRITING FOR PRAYER & PUBLICATION Leader: Rev. Laura Cheifetz, Vice President of Church & Public Relations at Presbyterian Publishing Corporation Come learn about (and even practice) writing devotions for publication. Devotions are an important way many Christians nurture their spiritual lives. In this workshop, you will get the chance to consider the importance of theme, choosing a Scripture passage, and writing succinctly as you write a devotion and accompanying prayer. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 18, REGISTER BEFORE MARCH 1 ST FOR THE EARLY BIRD PRICING. NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP HOME PHONE CELL PHONE CHURCH & PRESBYTERY Please check: FULL TIME PARTICIPANT - $250.00/$ COMMUTER - $ REQUESTING RIDE FROM SF AIRPORT ( flight # and arrival time when confirmed) Limited scholarships available jeanette_huie@yahoo.com for a scholarship request form. Send completed form with either your payment or a completed scholarship request form to: JEANETTE HUIE KEARNEY AVENUE, OAKLAND, CA The Pilgrimage page 12